Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe will return to his former club the Stormers this summer after Suntory Sungoliath announced today that he will depart after completing his third season in Japan. The competition’s top points scorer wrestled with the decision of whether to stay in Japan but, having played rugby outside of South Africa since 2017, has opted to make an early return to his homeland. RugbyJP.com understands that Kolbe, who left the Stormers in 2017 to play in the

Suntory Sungoliath has today announced that Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Two-time World Cup winner Kolbe, 32, was prominent on Saturday as he scored 17 points in the club’s 40-35 quarter-final win against Black Rams Tokyo to book a semi-final clash against Dave Rennie and Ardie Savea’s Kobe Steelers on Saturday. The division’s top points scorer is poised to make an early return to his former club the Stormers who have alread

Suntory Sungoliath rescued their quarter-final with a match-winning 84th minute try to edge past the spirited Black Rams Tokyo who's sensational second half comeback was undone in the last play of the game. © JRLO In a frenetic game that had everything, play-off regulars Suntory controlled proceedings from the outset and powered their way to a 17-0 lead after just 15 minutes as first-time post-season contenders the Rams looked overawed by the occasion. TJ Perenara gave them a

League One’s division one play-offs kick off on Saturday with TJ Perenara’s Black Rams Tokyo facing Sam Cane’s Suntory Sungoliath as World Cup winners and ex-All Blacks teammates clash at Tokyo’s Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. The history-making Rams are making their first appearance in the top-flight post-season after former All Blacks centre Tabai Matson, who played for then-Top League side Yamaha Jubilo (now Shizuoka Blue Revs) from 2001 to 2006, impressively steered the To

Blacks Rams Tokyo’s World Cup-winning captain TJ Perenara lauded Suntory Sungoliath full-back Cheslin Kolbe as one of the best players in the world ahead of their League One quarter-final next week. Perenara, who was speaking at the Japan Rugby League One (JRLO) Play-Offs Media Conference in Akihabara, Tokyo, on Thursday afternoon, identified the Springboks superstar - who finished the regular season as the top points scorer - as the greatest threat posed by their Tokyo rival

Suntory Sungoliath star Cheslin Kolbe believes he’s still developing as a player after helping the Fuchu side past rivals Black Rams Tokyo in a preview of the upcoming quarter-final between the two sides in two weeks' time. The 32-year-old double World Cup winner contributed 17 points in his team's 39-22 win in the final round of the regular season on Sunday to finish with a personal best haul of 185 points. South Africa’s pocket rocket’s try and 12 points from the tee saw hi

Suntory Sungoliath star Cheslin Kolbe will stay in Japan for the ‘foreseeable future’ his management agency Roc Nation Sports International has revealed. Two-time World Cup winner Kolbe, 32, is enjoying his best season so far for the Fuchu outfit with a haul of 141 points including eight tries for the play-off contenders. The Springboks ace, who has played his club rugby outside of his homeland since 2017, was linked with a summer return to URC title contenders the Stormers.

Two of Japan Rugby League One’s heavy-hitters collide in round two in a star-studded showdown between Steve Hansen’s Toyota Verblitz and ‘Brighton Miracle’ number 10-turned head coach Kosei Ono’s Suntory Sungoliath at the 49,970-capacity Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday. The game will air live in the UK on Premier Sports from 5.25am (KO 5.30am) with English commentary. RugbyJP.com has four reasons why the anticipated clash, which has a habit of producing a nail-biting and high

Former Brave Blossoms star Hendrik Tui has issued a stark warning to young foreign players who are keen to follow his path by moving to...

Wales’ return to Japan, for the first time since the 2019 World Cup, will see the visitors fighting to end the worst losing streak in...

Japan will hand a debut to Yokohama Canon Eagles wing Kippei Ishida against Wales on Saturday after head coach Eddie Jones...

Japan head coach Eddie Jones believes that uncapped wing Kippei Ishida has the potential to be a better player than South Africa’s...

League One stars witnessed the homecoming of Japan’s national hero Shohei Ohtani as his Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 on...

League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus outfought Suntory Sungoliath to win the Fuchu derby at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday....

Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane is set to return to action for Suntory Sungoliath in Saturday’s Fuchu derby against champions Toshiba...

The Cross-Border Rugby series between League One and Super Rugby sides will not be held in 2025. While the decision was made and...

TJ Perenara inspired Black Rams Tokyo to their first win over League One powerhouses Suntory Sungoliath in 21 years with a a hard-fought...

Inaugural League One champions Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights bested Suntory Sungoliath 33-12 in the opening round’s heavyweight clash in...

RugbyJP has picked five League One rookies to keep tabs on this season. 1. Pierich Siebert – Suntory Sungoliath (South Africa) Position:...

Fit-again Suntory Sungoliath star Sean McMahon recently made his long-awaited return from injury during the club's pre-season clash...